ABDULLAHI KOLLOW

Abdullahi Kollow is a graduate student at Augsburg pursuing a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) and a licensure in Secondary Biology. He earned his BA in Agricultural Biology from Somalia and a master’s in Computer Information Systems from the University of Detroit Mercy. Abdullahi has a professional teaching licensee from Ohio and has taught science in grades 7-12 for over 10 years. He is currently teaching science at American Indian Magnet School in Saint Paul.

ADETOLA (TOLA) ATEWOLOGUN

Tola Atewologun is an MAE graduate student at Augsburg University pursuing secondary licensure in Social Studies. Tola has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina and the University of Michigan, respectively. Prior to pursuing a career in education, Tola worked as a financial analyst for public sector organizations such as the Social Security Administration, Department of Defense, and the Federal Reserve Bank. In 2015, he went back to school to get his MAE in education from Augsburg.  He spent the 2015 school year as a substitute teacher, where he worked at over two dozen high schools in the Twin Cities area.  He is excited about becoming a teacher and hopes to inject erudition, passion, and critical thinking into the classroom.

ARIF BAKAR

Arif Bakar is an MAE student at Augsburg University pursuing a teaching license in 5-12 Science. Bakar received a bachelor’s degree in human services and worked for the Hennepin County for 10 years as an interpreter, special program counselor, and finally as a senior human service representative. Some of his previous roles include mentoring at MCTC college and serving as a tutor at Franklin Library. Bakar is from East Africa and speaks five languages.

DANIEL SAHILLE

Daniel T. Sahille is currently pursuing English as a Second Language (ESL) licensure. He graduated from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia with a BA in Political Science and International Relations and worked as a public servant in government bureaus after his undergraduate career. He was motivated to become an ESL teacher as result of his experience as a volunteer ESL teacher for recent immigrants at Esperanza Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Through his career, Daniel aims to help students who are at an academic and social disadvantage.

 

ELIAS ALI

Elias Ali is a graduate student at Augsburg University pursuing a Master of Arts in Education (MAE), and a license in English as a Second Language (ESL). He earned his BA in Theology with a minor in Islamic Education from the University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Currently, Elias works for Building Blocks as a Program Manager with their youth and social service teams. He has also taught ESL in Saudi Arabia for five years. Outside of school and work, Ali volunteers with local faith-based communities teaching youth and adults. Ali will complete his student teaching in 2018.

 

HALIMO ROBLE

Halimo Roble is an undergraduate at Augsburg University pursuing English as Second Language (ESL) licensure. Roble currently works at a Daycare Center. She works with ages ranging from toddlers to school age children. Roble is looking forward to working in the Rochester School District as an ESL teacher. She hopes to create a safe environment and be able to identify with minority students.

 

LEYLA SAHAL

Leyla Sahal is an MAE graduate student at Augsburg University working on elementary licensure. She graduated from Augsburg University with a BA in political science and a concentration in public policy and pre-law. She also has a minor in communication studies. Leyla has been working as a paraprofessional, a mentor and coordinator for after-school programs. She taught K-5 students for Kaleidoscope Place, Confederation of Somali community, and IQRA Learning Center. Leyla understands the importance of educating at-risk students. She believes that a strong, dedicated teacher can change a child’s life. She also believes that effective communication between parent and teacher are necessary in order to overcome any academic challenges.

RUTHINA BELLEH

Ruthina Belleh is an undergraduate senior at Augsburg University pursuing a degree in elementary education. She will be graduating in the spring of 2016. She hopes to make a difference in students’ lives and encourage kids to do what they love. When Ruthina is not at school, she works as a teacher assistant at Nativity Early Learning Center. After graduation, Ruthina hopes to get a job as an elementary teacher.

Abdiasis Hirsi

Abdiasis Hirsi is an ESL instructor. He currently teaches at Wellstone International High School in Minneapolis. Mr. Hirsi is a proud alum of the EAST/CUE Scholarship Program at Augsburg University. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Mr. Hirsi has a passion for working with English language learners (ELLs) and is committed to creating an equitable, safe, and engaging learning environment where all students are supported and prepared for post-secondary education and employment.

Ahmed Hasan

Ahmed Hasan is a special education teacher pursuing licensure and a Master of Arts in Education. Ahmed completed his student teaching in the fall of 2015 and currently works at a charter school in Saint Paul. Hasan is an actively involved community member and serves as a board member for a charter school and a number of community organizations.

Asma Ibrahim

Asma Ibrahim is a senior at Augsburg University, pursuing a K-6 elementary education licensure. She loves to work with children and volunteers at the local daycare in her community to prepare for her future. Ibrahim is currently student-teaching at Cedar Riverside Community School.

Ayan Mohamed

Ayan Mohamed is an EAST alum and a graduate of Augsburg University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Ayan completed her student-teaching in the spring of 2016 and is currently pursuing licensure. Ayan is passionate about increasing English literacy among East African youth in the Twin Cities, particularly those in the Somali community.

Ebenezer K. Flomo

Ebenezer K. Flomo is a graduate student at Augsburg University in the Master of Arts in Education program with a Secondary Education license in social studies. He completed his student teaching in the fall of 2014 and recently received his teaching license. Ebenezer currently works as a substitute teacher in suburban St. Paul school districts as he completes his master’s courses. As an EAST leader, he has been invited to speak at the University of Minnesota’s College of Education as part of a monthly series called “Diversity Dialogues” and the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) annual convention in November 2014.

 Fowzia Ahmed

Fowzia Ahmed is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Education (MAE) and a license in English as a Second Language (ESL). Fowzia currently works at Universal Academy Charter School as a 2nd-grade teacher. She loves teaching her students and is thankful for the opportunities Augsburg provided her as she pursues her career in the teaching field. Fowzia graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan with a BA in Language Arts/French. She believes that Augsburg has prepared her adequately to teach and is current student-teaching this semester.

Mida Salad

Mida Salad is an MAE student at Augsburg University pursuing K-12 Special Education Licensure. Salad graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2011 where she majored in Sociology and English. Mida previously taught in fifth grade at Metro Charter Schools and mentored at an after-school program for minority students. Ms.Salad  has a personal interest in breaking the stigma that Somali parents have of special education and its services. Salad believes that learning can only take place with the collaboration between students, teachers, and parents. Mida is currently student teaching at Hennepin Elementary School in Minneapolis.

Ibrahim Aden

Ibrahim Aden is a master of arts in education (MAE) graduate student at Augsburg University, working on K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL) licensure. He graduated from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, with a BA in secondary education. Aden has been a K-4 Arabic teacher at Twin Cities International Elementary School in Minneapolis for the past eight years. He is also an elected board member and a policy committee member at the school. Aden also taught ESL in Saudi Arabia for two years and K-12 English Language in Kenya for three years. Aden plays a prominent role in the East African community throughout the Twin Cities and abroad.

Ismail Haji

Ismail Haji is an undergraduate pursuing his English as a Second Language (ESL) licensure. He completed his student teaching in the spring of 2016. For the past three years, Ismail served as the executive director of Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center. He has taught many children literacy in Arabic and Somali languages. He was motivated to become an ESL teacher after seeing English language learners struggle and experience obstacles. Haji also wants to establish educational institutions that will improve the academic skills and life standards of low-income minority students.

Maristella Omanyo

Maristella Omanyo is a special education teacher at Eden Lake Elementary in the Eden Prairie School District. Maristella student-taught in the spring of 2015 and obtained Academic Behavioral Specialist (ABS) licensure at Augsburg University. Previously, she served as a special education paraprofessional in the Eden Prairie School District for eight years. Maristella has experience teaching students with special needs. As an individual of East African descent, Maristella believes that the EAST scholar program will provide great opportunity and cultural awareness to the Augsburg University community as a whole.

Osman Ahmed

Osman Ahmed is an MAE graduate student at Augsburg University, pursuing a secondary licensure in social studies. Ahmed comes to EAST and Augsburg University with extensive experience as a connector between the Somali community, government, and nonprofit organizations. Ahmed’s passion for education started at a young age and he has been doing youth mentoring and educational leadership since high school. Osman is the co-founder of the ShantaLink, the first and only known Somali-American-run scholarship program, which offers scholarships to high school seniors who plan on attending colleges and universities in Minnesota. Currently, Osman works as a community organizer for Keith Ellison, the U.S Representative for Minnesota’s 5^th District. In his spare time, Osman loves to run, play basketball, read, and volunteer. Osman is set to student-teach in the spring of 2017.

Saido Mohamed

Saido Mohamed is an EAST alum and MAE student pursuing English as a Second Language (ESL) licensure. She earned her BA in English from the University of Minnesota. Mohamed has extensive experience working with English language learners at various schools and community centers. Currently, she works with sixth graders as a paraprofessional at Metro Charter Schools. She has a passion for helping ESL students bridge the learning gap and achieve academic success. As part of the first group of students in EAST, she is determined to help increase the number of minority teachers in schools. Saido completed her student teaching in the fall of 2015.

Salah Ali

Salah Ali is an MAE student at Augsburg University, pursuing a teaching license in 5-12 Mathematics. He currently works as the Nutrition Program manager at YouthPrise. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota in Agricultural Food Business Management, and shortly after graduation had a change of heart and decided to become a teacher. Salah will be student-teaching in the fall of 2017 and is looking forward to it.

Samsam Warsame

Samsam Warsame is an EL Teacher in the NABAD Program at Ann Sullivan Communications Center. Samsam recently obtained her license in English as a Second Language (ESL).She earned her undergraduate degree in Family Social Science, with a minor in Family Violence Prevention from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Samsam completed her student teaching in the spring of 2016. Previously, Samsam worked in the Minneapolis Public Schools as an associate educator. Outside of school and work, Samsam volunteers for an Early Childhood and Islamic Preschool program at Building Blocks of Islam, and mainly works with ages 3-5.

Theodore “Ted” Ngeh

Theodore “Ted” Ngeh is a kindergarten teacher at North Park Elementary School in the Columbia Heights Public Schools. Ted is a proud EAST alum with an Elementary Education licensure. Ted completed his student-teaching in the fall of 2014. Previously, Ted worked as a long-term substitute teacher at American Indian Elementary in St. Paul.

 

 

Zamzam Mumin

Zamzam Mumin is an EAST alum based in Rochester. She is pursuing a master of arts in education degree and holds an ESL K-12 licensure. She completed her student teaching in the spring of 2016. Zamzam has worked with a variety of students, ranging from elementary school to high school. She currently works as a director at Solar Academy. With the skills and knowledge, she gains from the MAE program, she plans to introduce preschool and kindergarten courses in the daycare in which she works.